I am an Intramural Training Coordinator at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where Ademola trained as a summer student in 2022. Ademola’s potential first came to my attention in January 2022 when I led a recruiting effort to enroll students in the NHGRI Immersive Summer Program for Research in Genomics (iSPRinG). This summer program is part of our larger efforts to build and sustain a skilled and diverse workforce of genome scientists in basic, behavioral, clinical and social science research. Applying to participate in iSPRinG is extremely competitive, and it is to Ademola’s credit that he was one of only 16 scholars accepted from across the country for this year’s cohort. Ademola come to the NIH as an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. During his intake interview he expressed an interest in exploring medical school enrrolment. At NHGRI, Ademola interned in the laboratory of Dr Laura Elnitski. Dr. Elnitski's research has pioneered both experimental and computational approaches to discern and validate uncharacterized regulatory components of the human genome. Ademola’s summer project involved investigating the epigenetic mechanism of hypermethylation for SFRP1 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Over a background of 16 very motivated students, Ademola stood up as the most intensely dedicated to taking advantage of the program. In fact, Ademola has impressed me with his iron will to capitalize on any professional opportunity that presents to him. For instance, Ademola is the only student in the 2022 cohort who has requested to formalize our check-ins in a structured mentoring agreement. Where the other scholars check-in sporadically, Ademola and I meet monthly to discuss his career and needs. In the context of this ongoing relationship he is already helping me brainstorm how the iSPRinG program can be refined to enhance even more the experience of the next cohort. For his dedication and thoughtful ideas, he has been invited to be part of the iSPRinG advisory board member, where he is guiding the iSPRinG leadership to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in the NHGRI Intramural Research Program. In addition, Ademola has offered himself to participate in outreach events geared to promote a STEM education to underserved students. Ambassadors like Ademola are invaluable role models for future STEM scientists. In summary, when opportunity knocks at his door, Ademola is ready to go! I can say with confidence that prospective mentors, training programs, or supervisors will not regret giving Ademola an opportunity to shine.

I am an Intramural Training Coordinator at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where Ademola trained as a summer student in 2022. Ademola’s potential first came to my attention in January 2022 when I led a recruiting effort to enroll students in the NHGRI Immersive Summer Program for Research in Genomics (iSPRinG). This summer program is part of our larger efforts to build and sustain a skilled and diverse workforce of genome scientists in basic, behavioral, clinical and social science research. Applying to participate in iSPRinG is extremely competitive, and it is to Ademola’s credit that he was one of only 16 scholars accepted from across the country for this year’s cohort. Ademola come to the NIH as an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. During his intake interview he expressed an interest in exploring medical school enrrolment. At NHGRI, Ademola interned in the laboratory of Dr Laura Elnitski. Dr. Elnitski's research has pioneered both experimental and computational approaches to discern and validate uncharacterized regulatory components of the human genome. Ademola’s summer project involved investigating the epigenetic mechanism of hypermethylation for SFRP1 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Over a background of 16 very motivated students, Ademola stood up as the most intensely dedicated to taking advantage of the program. In fact, Ademola has impressed me with his iron will to capitalize on any professional opportunity that presents to him. For instance, Ademola is the only student in the 2022 cohort who has requested to formalize our check-ins in a structured mentoring agreement. Where the other scholars check-in sporadically, Ademola and I meet monthly to discuss his career and needs. In the context of this ongoing relationship he is already helping me brainstorm how the iSPRinG program can be refined to enhance even more the experience of the next cohort. For his dedication and thoughtful ideas, he has been invited to be part of the iSPRinG advisory board member, where he is guiding the iSPRinG leadership to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in the NHGRI Intramural Research Program. In addition, Ademola has offered himself to participate in outreach events geared to promote a STEM education to underserved students. Ambassadors like Ademola are invaluable role models for future STEM scientists. In summary, when opportunity knocks at his door, Ademola is ready to go! I can say with confidence that prospective mentors, training programs, or supervisors will not regret giving Ademola an opportunity to shine.

I am an Intramural Training Coordinator at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where Ademola trained as a summer student in 2022. Ademola’s potential first came to my attention in January 2022 when I led a recruiting effort to enroll students in the NHGRI Immersive Summer Program for Research in Genomics (iSPRinG). This summer program is part of our larger efforts to build and sustain a skilled and diverse workforce of genome scientists in basic, behavioral, clinical and social science research. Applying to participate in iSPRinG is extremely competitive, and it is to Ademola’s credit that he was one of only 16 scholars accepted from across the country for this year’s cohort. Ademola come to the NIH as an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. During his intake interview he expressed an interest in exploring medical school enrrolment. At NHGRI, Ademola interned in the laboratory of Dr Laura Elnitski. Dr. Elnitski's research has pioneered both experimental and computational approaches to discern and validate uncharacterized regulatory components of the human genome. Ademola’s summer project involved investigating the epigenetic mechanism of hypermethylation for SFRP1 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Over a background of 16 very motivated students, Ademola stood up as the most intensely dedicated to taking advantage of the program. In fact, Ademola has impressed me with his iron will to capitalize on any professional opportunity that presents to him. For instance, Ademola is the only student in the 2022 cohort who has requested to formalize our check-ins in a structured mentoring agreement. Where the other scholars check-in sporadically, Ademola and I meet monthly to discuss his career and needs. In the context of this ongoing relationship he is already helping me brainstorm how the iSPRinG program can be refined to enhance even more the experience of the next cohort. For his dedication and thoughtful ideas, he has been invited to be part of the iSPRinG advisory board member, where he is guiding the iSPRinG leadership to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in the NHGRI Intramural Research Program. In addition, Ademola has offered himself to participate in outreach events geared to promote a STEM education to underserved students. Ambassadors like Ademola are invaluable role models for future STEM scientists. In summary, when opportunity knocks at his door, Ademola is ready to go! I can say with confidence that prospective mentors, training programs, or supervisors will not regret giving Ademola an opportunity to shine.